Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson song)

"Breakaway"
Single by Kelly Clarkson
from the album The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and Breakaway
Released	July 19, 2004 (2004-07-19) May 30, 2006 (2006-05-30) (Reissue)
Format	CD single. digital download
Recorded	2004; Henson Recording Studios (Hollywood)
Genre	Folk pop
Length	3:57
Label	Walt Disney, RCA
Writer(s)	Avril Lavigne, Bridget Benenate, Matthew Gerrard
Producer(s)	John Shanks
Kelly Clarkson singles chronology
"The Trouble with Love Is" (2003) "Breakaway" (2004) "Since U Been Gone" (2004)
Alternative cover 2006 Re-issue

"Breakaway" is a song recorded by American singer Kelly Clarkson. The song, written by Matthew Gerrard, Bridget Benenate and Avril Lavigne, was originally intended for Lavigne's debut studio album, Let Go (2002). After being deemed unsuitable for the album, it was passed to Clarkson to be recorded as a soundtrack for the film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Clarkson, who was finishing her second studio album at that time, recorded "Breakaway" to tide her fans over until the first single from her new album was released. However, the song's success prompted its inclusion on Clarkson's second album where she decided to name the album after the song. "Breakaway" was first released by Walt Disney Records as the first single from The Princess Diaries 2 soundtrack on July 19, 2004. In May 2006, "Breakaway" was reissued as the fifth and final single from the album of the same name.

"Breakaway" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented the song's message and simple, relatable lyrics. It incorporates acoustic guitars and airy drums which are interspersed with Clarkson's controlled voice. The lyrics narrate Clarkson's journey as a girl growing up in a small town who follows her dream for self-improvement. "Breakaway" was a commercial success outside of the United States, where it peaked within the top 20 of multiple European countries, and in the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands. In the US, the song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became her third top ten song in the chart. It also topped the US Adult Contemporary for twenty-one non-consecutive weeks, a record for female artists that is now shared between herself, Celine Dion's "A New Day Has Come" and Adele's "Hello".